Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that nearly 67 million Indians visit fuel stations daily, underscoring the nation’s rising energy demand alongside rapid economic progress. He noted that India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.3 trillion and recorded 7.8 per cent growth in the first quarter of FY25-26. The country currently consumes 5.5 million barrels of oil per day, reflecting the expanding scale of its energy requirements.
Expanding Infrastructure for Wider Energy Access
Puri highlighted the government’s focus on strengthening energy infrastructure, stating that the gas pipeline network—now spanning 24,500 km—will expand to 33,000 km by 2030. He shared that 10.60 crore households have received LPG connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, while 1.55 crore homes are connected through piped natural gas (PNG). Additionally, 8,300 CNG stations across the country serve millions of vehicles daily, improving accessibility and convenience for consumers.
Driving Clean Energy and Sustainable Growth
Emphasising India’s clean energy transition, Puri said 114 compressed biogas (CBG) plants are operational, with rapid progress in green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects. He reiterated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s energy strategy—built on diversification, innovation, domestic exploration, and green transition—is propelling the nation toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 (Viksit Bharat).
